Alternative Format Text (AFT)

Alternative Format Textbooks and Materials

The Office of Disability Services provides accessible text and alternative format materials to students with documented mobility-related and print disabilities, including those with vision or reading impairment. Alternative Format Text (AFT) is the term applied to course materials such as textbooks, electronic documents, exams, and other print materials, which students with print disabilities need converted into accessible formats. AFT may include but are not limited to: braille (braille file or embossed), audio (MP3 or Daisy), large print, Microsoft Word files, and electronic format.

Requests for alternative format text is used for required textbooks or reader packages related to a student’s current academic course work. Some textbooks are available electronically so that a computer program or app can read the book to you. These are often referred to as electronic text, E-text or E-books.

Eligibility for AFT as an accommodation will be determined by the review of documentation and active participation during the Intake Process. If alternate format is determined to be an appropriate accommodation, students will be provided with guidance to facilitate access to alternative format materials. All students who are eligible for alternate format text will be required to set up an account at bookshare.org, which is a database of accessible books. Disability Services staff will initiate this when meeting with students.

When requesting books, students are asked to please check to see if Bookshare has their book available. If the Bookshare file is inaccessible to them, they will proceed to the next step in the process and contact accommodations@shushijia.net for further assistance. Eligible students registered with Disability Services and need printed material to be reproduced in an alternate format for one of Ocean County College’s courses must submit their request online through the Accommodate Portal.